Thursday, February 9, 2012

Silver Moon Brewmaster Headed to Eugene

It seems as though Bend’s rapidly expanding craft beer industry has done nothing but import brewers over the last few years. So it was probably time that we started exporting again. And it appears the first to go is longtime Silver Moon brewmaster, Tyler West, who’s been hired by Oakshire Brewing in Eugene.

West, who began as a home brewer, has worked at Silver Moon for over a decade, starting as an employee in the old Division Street homebrew shop.

He has served as the head brewer since roughly 2004, according to owner Tyler Reichert, who says that West leaves on great terms.

“It was a good move—a change of scenery, and I’m happy for him,” Reichert said.

It’s not immediately clear who will succeed West at the helm of Silver Moon’s brewing operation. Reichert said he has yet to sit down with his staff to discuss that. But assistant brewer Brett Thomas remains on staff, Reichert noted. West and Thomas teamed up on the Dark Side Stout recipe that earned a coveted Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival last year.

*Photo: West, Thomas and Reichert at the GABF from Silvermoonbrewing.com